Stranger Things 5 Final Season Release Schedule: All Episodes and Dates

The final season of Stranger Things is here. Netflix has released the highly anticipated Season 5 in a unique three-volume format. The premiere arrived on November 26, 2025, with the conclusion set for New Year’s Eve.

This marks the end of the global phenomenon that began in 2016. The release strategy stretches the finale across the holiday season to maximize fan engagement and discussion.

Episode Count and Volume Breakdown

Stranger Things Season 5 consists of eight episodes total. This matches the episode count of the show’s first and third seasons. The season is being released in three distinct parts.

Volume 1 dropped on November 26 with the first four episodes. Volume 2 arrives on Christmas Day with three more episodes. The series finale, a single episode, premieres on New Year’s Eve.

This staggered approach creates multiple cultural moments. It allows fans to digest major plot points before the next release. According to Netflix, this model has proven successful for event television.

Complete Calendar and Streaming Details

The full schedule is now confirmed. Volume 1 (Episodes 1-4) launched on November 26, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. All episodes became available globally on Netflix at that time.

Volume 2 (Episodes 5-7) is set for December 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. The final episode, Volume 3, will stream on December 31, 2025, at the same time. This timing turns the finale into a New Year’s Eve event for viewers.

Each episode varies in length, with some surpassing 80 minutes. The extended runtimes allow for a more cinematic conclusion to complex storylines. Fans should prepare for an emotional and action-packed send-off.

Dropping this nugget your way-

How many episodes are in Stranger Things Season 5?

There are eight episodes in the final season. They are being released in three separate volumes across November and December 2025.

When does the last episode come out?

The series finale, which is Episode 8, releases on December 31, 2025. It will be available on Netflix at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Why is Netflix releasing it in volumes?

The volume strategy extends viewer conversation over the holidays. It builds anticipation between releases and creates multiple trending events for the show.

Is this definitely the last season?

Yes, Season 5 is the final chapter of the main Stranger Things story. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed this is the conclusion for Hawkins and our core characters.

What time do new episodes drop?

All new volumes debut at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5 p.m. Pacific Time) on their scheduled dates. This is the standard global release time for Netflix.

Where can I watch Stranger Things 5?

The season is streaming exclusively on Netflix. You need an active subscription to access all three volumes as they are released.